Paper container



L. D. PIERCE PAPER CONTAINER Dec. 3, 1935.

Filed Sept. 29, '1934 3 Sheets-Sheet l [Il Il Dec. 3, 1935.

L. D. PIERCE PAPER CONTAINER Filed Sept. 29, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec- 3, 1935- L. D. PIERCE PAPER CONTAINER Filed sept. 29. 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fili!!! 'lllll Patented Dec, 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE rArEa com-aman Leen. Pia-, Fulton, N. I. Application september ze, 1934, seal No. 146,:51

17 Claims.

This invention relates to paper containers, particularly to containers ofv relatively large capacity, primarily intended for one-time use, usually for goods or products in bulk, and to containers of the so-called collapsible type, for shipment and storage in knocked-down or disassembled form, capable of setting up and assembly to operative form at the situation where the containers are -to be loaded or charged with the 10 goods or product to be shipped therein and dispensed therefrom, and by the term paper, I include and mean any sheet-like material of the required strength, flexibility, durability, and other characteristics, necessary to render the container adaptable for the particular use for which intended, within the spirit and scope of my invention; and the objects and nature of the invention will vbe understood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following explanations of 2O I now believe to be preferred mechanical expressions or embodiments of my invention from among other forms and arrangements within the spirit and scope thereof.

` An object of the invention is to provide a shell or barrel adapted to be assembled with end closures, to provide a bulk container, with such shell collapsible to such forml as to enable a multiplicity of like collapsed shells to be packed in compact space, for shipment or storage, by longitudinally nesting the collapsed shells one within the other with each collapsed shell, when removed from the nest, capable of easy expansion to cylindrical operative form vinto operative association with an appropriate end closure, and the opposite open end of the expanded cylindrical shell adapted to be closed vby an appropriate end closure.

A further object of the invention is to provide tubular container shells capable of collapsing to longitudinally tapered or approximate conical form for packing by nesting, with such shells Y capable of easy expansion to approximate cylindrical operative form into operative association with container end closures.

A further object of the invention ls to provide an improved collapsible tubular container shell with an exterior smooth surface of increased area for the reception of printing, and with an open end of increased stiffness or rigidity to receive the top cover, when said shell is expanded to approximately cylindrical form in operative association vwith an appropriate bottom closure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tubular container shell of non-split or unbroken theaccompanying-drawings that illustrate what (Cl. 22S-4.5)

tubular form capable of collapsing to form for packing' and of expanding to operative approximately cylindrical form into operative association with an end stiil'ening closure, with the end in view of maintaining maximum rigidity 'and 5 stillness of the mouth portion of theexpanded shell against radial collapse or deformation, by the elimination of all longitudinal weakening, score or fold lines from the mouth end portion of the shell, except ,at a small fraction of the l circle thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a collapsible paper or substantially like material tubular shell adapted to be assembled with a separate restraining bottom cap to form a conl5 tainer with a bottom end sealing closure forming a permanent part of the shell and collapsible or expansible therewith, and characterized by its tissue or nlm-like thinness and preferable transparency, by being waterproof and inert to ice cream and the ingredients thereof, and that will protect the container contents against contact with the bottom closing cap of the assembled container.

A further object of the invention is to provide 2.5 an assembled set up container that includes a paper or substantially like material tubular shell contractile or collapsible for packing and expansible to operative cylindrical form within a separate annularly-flanged surrounding restraining bottom cap to permanent holding operative association, wherein the shell is manufactured and delivered without the presence of exposed exterior adhesive for operative association with said cap, and wherein the bottom cap is manufactured and delivered with permanently adhering adhesive on the inner surface of its annular upstanding permanent ange for operatively uniting the bottom cap tothe lower end of the shell forcibly expanded radially into contact with the adhesive on said ange of the bottom cap completely around the circle thereof.

And a further object of the invention is to provide certain improvements in so-called collapsible containers with the ends in view of overcoming certain difiiculties and disadvantages in and incidental'to the manufacture and use of collapsible containers now on the market, and to provide a highly desirable and advantageous container of this type.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, as will be developed by the description that follows, my invention consists in certain novel features, formations, arrangements and/or combinations, more fully hereinafter described and specified.

sov

Referring to the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof Fig. 1 shows in perspective the separated elements making up the assembled container illustrated by Fig. 2, the tubular shell appearing in Fig. 1 in operative expanded cylindrical form.

Fig. 2 shows in side elevation, an assembled set up container as an example of an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the container of Fig. 2, partially broken away.

Fig. 4 is a perspective, more or less diagrammatically illustrating the tubular shell of the preceding drawing views (without the tissue-like end closure) in contracted form and the relatively small diameter bottom cap in which the shell is to be expanded.

Fig. 5 shows the parts of Fig. 4 with said shell partially expanded into operative association with H said cap.

Fig. 6 shows the parts of Figs. 4 and 5 with the shell completely expanded in the cap to permanent operative association therewith to form the completed open-mouth container.

Figs. '7, 8 and 9 are more or less diagrammatical sections taken on the lines '1 -1, Fig. 4; 8 8, Fig. 5; and 9 9, Fig. 6, respectively.

Fig. 10 shows a modied container in vertical section including the tubular shell of my invention operatively assembled with a modied form of bottom cap permanently united thereto in accordance with my invention.

Fig. l1 shows a container in vertical section, including the shell of the preceding views of the drawings expanded in and permanently secured to another modied form of bottom-closing cap.

Figs. 12 and 13 are side elevations of modified forms of my contractile collapsible tubular shell.

Figs. 14 and 15 are bottom end views of the shells of Figs. 12, 13, respectively, in contracted or collapsed condition.

Fig. 16 more or less diagrammatically shows in side elevation, a stack of the nested telescoped collapsed tubular shells of my invention.

In the examples illustrated to show various embodiments of my invention from among others, the tubular barrel or shell l, is composed of a strong, stiff, yet resilient flexible wall that is uncut or unbroken throughout the circle of the tube and its operative length. This shell forms an unbroken or non-split tube, preferably cylindrical or of uniform cross sectional dimensions throughout its operative length when in expanded or operative form. The sheet material wall of this i shell is comparatively heavy or thick where it is to be employed for a comparatively large size container for bulk products, such as bulk ice cream, and other bulk products, requiring containers of half-gallon, gallon, two and one-half gallon capacity, etc.

The cylindrical shell is usually composed of multiply sheet material, such as spirally wound, adhesively united, superimposed sheet ribbons, and is usually produced by tube winding machinery from sheet fibrous material such as suitable paper stock. However, I do not wish to limit my invention to spirally wound shells, however produced.

In the example shown, the tubular shell is square-cut at its ends, i. e., the ends of the shell are cut off in substantially parallel planes substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shell.

With reference to Fig. 2, showing a complete closed bulk ice cream or other large-capacity container. the shell I, is capped at its bottom or lower end by any suitable bottom closure 2, and at its mouth or otherwise open upper end by any suitable cover or end closure 3. These end closures are preferably composed of brous material such as paper board or equivalent sheet material and are usually of the annularly flanged slip cover type of suitable stiffness and rigidity to serve to protect, stiflen and strengthen the shell and render the completed container of ample strength and' rigidity against deformation to serve the purposes for which intended. The two end closures of a container are usually similar in formation and size, so that, in assembly, either end closure can be applied to either end of the shell, although I do not wish to so limit my invention. Each closure 2, 3, preferably includes a closed or imperforate end wall rigid with a laterally projecting, strong, substantially stiff or rigid unbroken cylindrical skirt or flange, 4, the internal diam- L eter of which is approximately the same as or slightly less than the external diameter of the shell l, when in expanded operative form. In the assembled condition, the end closures t the shell end edges and the closure flanges 4, exteriorly and tightly surround the cylindrical outer surface of the shell ends.

'Ihe containers are stored and shipped to the user in knocked-down or separated condition, the

end closures separated from the shells, and the shells collapsed for economy in the matters of space and freight rates. The containers are set up at the situation where they are to be charged or loaded with the bulk or other material or products for which intended. container, the bottom closure 2 is placed on a suitable support with its flange 4 upstanding, the shell is then placed in a vertical opstanding position on the closure end wall within the flange 4,

and the shell is then expanded radially to operative cylindrical form and into tight engagement with the inner surface of the flange 4, provision being made to operatively associate the shell and bottom closure in such manner that the shell and such bottom closure will not separate under the weight of the container contents. The container is then ready to receive its contents through the open upper end or mouth of the shell. After the container has been loaded, its mouth is tightly closed by application of the slip cover 3, or other suitable closure.

My invention is characterized by any suitable formation of the shell I, whereby the shell can collapse or contract to a tubular form of relatively small cross-sectional dimensions at one;

shell end portion with respect to the cross-sectional dimensions of the opposite end portion, of the shell, to permit longitudinal nesting of a series of similar collapsed shells one into the other in succession, forming a stack of such collapsed, telescoped shells for economic storage and shipment, see Fig. 16. Each shell thus is capable of collapsing to a form for nesting, i. e., to a form wherein the shell longitudinally tapers or reduces in cross-sectional dimensions toward its bottom end, in such manner that a series of like collapsed shells with their relatively small ends foremost, can be successively telescoped longitudinally into the relatively large ends of the previously nested shells, to form a stack of telescoped or nested shells, wherein the shells are held together against normal backward longitudinal separation by the frictional engaging contact between the telescoped shells under the constant resilient tendency of each contracted In assembling a:.

' and also, preferably, a top cover or closure.

the particular examples illustrated, the shell re-y are possible within my invention, to provide for shell collapse to longitudinally reducing or tapered form for packing or nesting and shell expension to operative unbroken cylindrical form for operative association with a bottom closure In sult sought is accomplished by providing the stii resilient shell with a longitudinal infoldable panel or portion 6, of the shell wall extending throughout the length of the shell and preferably of progressively increasing transverse width from its relatively very narrow upper vend. 6a, at

ythe mouth of the shell, to its relatively wide lower end 6b, at the shell bottom end. This longitudinal panel or portion 6 of the shell wall is in one piece or integral with the remainder of the shell wall, and is joined throughout its longitudinal margins into the remainder of the shell wall by transversely flexible imperforate hinge portions 1, each, preferably, continuous throughout the length of the shell. Thus, by exerting inward pressure by the hands or fingers on the said portion 6 of the expanded cylindrical shell, said portion 6 can be forced inwardly of the shell, on the hinge or bending lines 1, thereby circumferentially contracting the stiff resilient shell wall and reducing the cross-sectional dimensions of the shell, particularly if the fingers, when pressing said section or portion 6, inwardly, also press the same laterally within the interior of the thereby contracted tubular shell, see Figs. 4, '1, 14 and 16. The relatively great contraction of the bottom or lower portion of the shell and the relatively slight contraction of the mouth or upper end of the shell to produce the longitudinally tapered form of the contracted shell for nesting or packing purposes, and the increased stiness of the mouth portion of the cylindrical expanded shell, result, in this example, from the upwardly reducing tapered or angular shape of the inwardly deformable portion or infolding hinged panel 6, of the shell wall.

This angular formation of the shell wall portion 6, is attained, in this example, by the divergence of the longitudinal hinge lines 1, from the mouth end of the shell to the bottom end of the shell to produce the gusset-like triangular longitudinal portion '6 of the shell wall. The downwardly diverging hinge lines 1 almost meet at the mouth end of the shell, as the purpose is to maintain the natural unbroken stiffness of the mouth end of the expanded cylindrical shell to the maximum by reducing the width of thev upper end of portion 6, to the smallest possible fraction of the complete circle of said shell mouth, while attaining the desired shell contraction when collapsed. It is also desirable to reduce the width of the lower end of shell wall portion 6, to a minor fraction of the complete circle of the expanded cylindrical shell, so far as possible in attaining the desired contraction of the bottom end of the collapsed shell.

The hinge lines 1 are usually formed by compressingv the paper wall of the shell between complementary straight line jaws of a high pressure press, one jaw within the cylindrical tube and the other at the exterior thereof, both jaws fitting the wall throughout thev length thereof. The pressure applied by these complefmentary jaws preferably compresses and breaksv down the resiliency of the paper and bodily dis- 5 places the paper along each narrow line 1 to lpreferably form a lgroove at one face of the paper and a correspondingv rib at the oppbsge face, and

a consequently strong, yet pliable or transversely flexible bending line. 10

Y Each hinge can be formed by a single line 1, or

to attain greater flexibility, a pair of slightly spaced lines 1a can be provided with a .narrow non-compressed intervening hinge strip 1b, thereby forming a double hinge connection flex- 15 ible inwardly and outwardly. i

It is sometimes desirable to provide an intermediate bending or hinge line 1d, located about midway between the two diverging lines 1, 1, and approximately defining the longitudinal axis 20 of the infolding panel or portion 6, of the tubular shell. This line 1d permits the infolding panel 6, when pressed inwardly during the operation of collapsing the tubular shell, to fold or buckle inwardlyvon its longitudinal axis 1d, and assume 25 positions within the collapsed shell as shown by the drawings.

Figs. 13 and l5 show the herein described tubular 'shell I of my invention formed with the infolding panel 6 capable of buckling on its 30 longitudinal axis, all formed and provided by single depressed hinge lines 1, 1d..

Figs. 12 and 14 show the tubular shell I of my invention formed of the upwardly reducing infolding hinged panel 6, defined by a vertical longitudinal single hinge or bending line 1, and a closely spaced pair of parallel lines 1a, angularly arranged with respect to line 1, and forming a double hinge, as hereinbefore described in connection with the shell formation shown by Figs. 40 1 and 2.

In all of these forms, when the shell is expanded-to operative cylindrical form, the panel 6 is concavo-convex in cross section, forming a segment of the circle of the tubular housing, and in fact, completing said circle.

During the operation of contracting the shell by swinging the panel 6 inwardly under the pressure of the ngers, the panel acts in effect as an inwardly breaking contracting toggle exerting leverage on the remainder of the shell wall in drawing the same inwardly to bridge the gap left by the infolding panel 6, all against the resiliency or tension of the shell Wall and the constant tendency thereof to spring outwardly to its original diameter and form. Thus, when the contracted shell is inserted in the end cap 2, about as shown by Fig. 4, and allowed to expand under its own spring or resiliency, it will assume approximately the form shown by Fig. 5, although I do not wish to so vlimit my invention.

When in the form of Figs. 5 and 8, the panel 6 forms an inwardly broken toggle. Outward pressure applied to the knuckle of this toggle, at point 1d, by the ngers or hand, will attain a 65 power multiplying leverage action on the shell in forcibly expanding the same to the complete circular form and pressing the same outwardly most tightly against the surrounding restraining fiange 4, of the bottom cap, and in effect locking the tog- 70 gle against inward collapse. The ange 4,ispref erably very slightly less in internal diameter than the normal exterior diameter of the cylindrical lower end of the expanded shell.

If so desired, a slightly oversize inner paper disk 9, can be forced down in the expanded cylindrical cell (Figs. 1, 3, 11) against the bottom cap 2, to lock the lower endv of the cylindrical shell to and against the flange 4, of the cap, although I do not wish to limit my invention to the employment of such inner disk, see Figs. 6, 9, and 10.

It is essential in containers intended for assembly from collapsed or separated condition, at the situation where filled, that provision be made to operatively secure or join the shell and bottom caps, against separation under the weight of the load, when the loaded containers are lifted or transported. I have discovered that it is possible to so tightly 'associate the shell and bottom cap that the container will carry the load without shell and cap separation, even Where the oversize inner locking disk 9 is not employed, where the inner surface of the iiange 4, of bottom cap 2, carries an ample permanently adhering coating I0, of a strong tacky waterproof adhesive, preferably, previously applied thereto by the manufacturer of the container parts. The outer surface of the lower end of the shell I, is manufactured and received by the user free of any adhesive. The manufacturer of the container parts, applies the coating I0, of strong tacky adhesive to and .throughout the inner surface of the cap flange 4, and the container user thus receives the bottom caps. These fianges 4 are cylindrical and the caps are not capable of being nested, and the tacky adhesive on the inner surfaces of the cap flanges, does not come in contact with other parts or articles, but is protected therefrom by the flanges. 'I'he adhesivev for this purpose is of great holding power or strength as an adhesive for paper and the like and has the capacity of remaining suiiiciently tacky for the purposes of my invention, for a considerable length of time. If necessary to retain the necessary degree of tackiness for an indenite period, the tacky inner surfaces of the caps can have inexpensive temporary coverings applied thereto.

Now, the particular required degree of adhesive strength gained in locking or securing the bottom caps to my shells, is due to the fact that my contracted shells are expanded within the relatively undersized cap flanges and are driven outwardly under pressure forcibly against the tacky surfaces, and thus held by the peculiar action of the panels 6, under the pressure of the hands or fingers, as hereinbefore described. Under this action, the bottom cap flanges and the lower ends of the shell become in effect permanently united.

Also, I have discovered that a liquid-tight bottom seal for containers of this assembled type can be attained by providing the lower end of my `contractile shell with a film or tissue-like cover sheet I2, permanently secured to the shell by the manufacturer and thus received by the user. This permanent bottom end cover I2, will, also, in the completely assembled and loaded container, in a measure relieve the bottom cap 2 of the weight of the container load, and thereby reduce the supporting means otherwise necessary to hold together the cover 2, and the shell I.

'I'he sheet I2 can be composed of flimsy tissuelike material of the necessary tensile strength, that is waterproof and inert to moisture and ice cream, and preferably transparent. Thin tissuelike or film-like sheet material having a cellulose ester base, or certain so-called cellophane sheets, or possibly certain modern high grade waterproof papers of high tensile strength are suitable for the purpose. The sheet I2 of large size, is stretched smoothly across the lower end of the expanded cylindrical shell I, and the surplus margin of the sheet is formed into a cylindrical skirt I3, by being pressed smoothly down around the outer cylindrical surface of the shell 'and per- 5 manently cemented thereto by a strong tacky adhesive, known to those skilled in the art for cementing sheet material having a cellulose ester base, such as common cellophane. 'I'he surplus sheetmaterial in the skirt is taken up by creases 10 and folds which are flattened out and pressed and cemented down.

The skirt I3, of the sheet I2, permanently surrounds the exterior of the lower end of the shell, and in the completed assembled container contacts and strongly adheres to the tacky adhesive coating I0, on the inner surface of the cap flange, 4.

This bottom sheet I2 is of such tissue-like flimsy material that it rumples up when the shell to which it is permanently secured is collapsed and does not interfere with the contraction of the shell, or with the nesting of the shells provided therewith, nor does such sheet interfere with the expansion of the shell to cylindrical form and operative association with the cap 2. When the shell is expanded to cylindrical form, the sheet I2, fiattens out to drum form, and by reason of its great tensile strength does not fracture. c The peculiar contractile container shells of my invention can be employed with or without the bottom sheets I2 and with or without the applied adhesive on the inner surfaces of the cap flanges 4, and with or without the inner locking disks 9.

Various kinds of closure caps can be employed for the container ends. For instance, among others that can be employed, I show in Fig. 10,

a strong drawn paper material ring I4, the upstanding annular portion of which forms the ange 4, while the open center of the rigid drawn annulus I4 is closed by an imperforate disk I5, of paper or other suitable material set down within flange 4, and resting on the inturned annular ledge of the annulus.

In Fig. ll, I sho-w a stiff rigid drawn or pressed paper cap, the imperforate bottom Wall of which is formed with a surrounding annular cylindrical upstanding wall-forming flange 4.

The hinge lines joining the infoldable panel 6, into the unbroken annular wall of the tubular container body can be formed by depressed portions of the wall forming in eiect grooves in one surface ofthe wall and complementary ribs at the 'opposite surface of the wall. While I show these ribs located at the inner surface of the Wall of the body to facilitate the inward swing of the panel 6, yet the formation can be reversed with the ribs at the outer surface of the body, or 6 at one longitudinal edge of panel 6, the ribs can be at the outer surface of the body while at the other longitudinal edge the ribs can be at the inner surface of the body.

.The unbroken non-weakened formation of the surrounding wall at the mouth or upper end of the expanded body, except at the very slight fraction 'f the circle of said end where the panel 6 terminates, gains certain important advantages. The strength of the stiff, comparatively thick resilient body wall of the expanded cylindrical body is thereby utilized against wall deformation and the operation of applying or removing very closely tting or underside top slip covers, can be facilitated by slightly contracting the container theupper end portion of panel E. \In -reference to that feature of my invention 'involving the bottom closure having the inner surface of its annular ange provided with a permanent adhesive coating characterized by its adhesive strength and capacity of remaining tacky for a long period of time, it will be noted that the body which has been expanded in the closure tightly against the flange and its tacky coating, will be also held in the thus expanded form by the weight of the lading or content of the filled body.

What I claim isz- 1. A container shell of non-split tubular form having a stiff resilient annular wall provided with diverging longitudinal hinge lines forming said wall with a relatively-narrow infolding angular longitudinal panel.

2. A container shell of non-split tubular form, in combination with a separate annularlyflanged bottom closure cap adapted to be operatively assembled and associated with the bottom end of said shell against separation therefrom under the weight of the load in the shell, the annular wall of said shell including an infolding longitudinal panel, decreasing in width from the bottom end of the shell to the top end of the shell, and adapted to be'forced inwardly of the shell to contract the same to collapsed form for nesting before said shell has been associated with said cap, said shell adapted to be expanded to operative cylindrical form with its bottom end located in said cap; v

3. A container shell of tubular form having a stiff resilient imperforate non-split surroundingwall provided with longitudinal diverging -hinge lines forming an infoldable panel, the maximum width of ,which constitutes but a minor fraction cf the circle of the cylindrical shell, said shell capable of being contracted to collapsed form for nesting by forcing said panel inwardly of said shell, said shell adapted to be expanded to operative cylindrical form by application of outward pressure on said infolded panel, said panel joined in said wall to provide a lever toggle action in expanding and contracting the shell.

4. A stiff, resilient container shell of non-split tubular form, said shell having an infoldable panel included in the surrounding shell wall and reducing in width longitudinally of said wall from the bottom end thereof toward the top end, said panel outlined by longitudinal hinge lines pressed in said wall, the maximum width of said panel occupying but a minor fraction of the wall circle, said shell adapted for contraction to collapsed form for nesting by inwardly pressing and buckling said panel, the collapsed shell adapted to be expanded to operative cylindrical form for operative associationwith a bottom closure cap.

5. A tubular container shell of sti resilient material, that is substantially cylindrical when in operative expanded form, said shell being permanently-creased rom end to end at a relatively narrow portion only to provide ailongitudinally reducing infolding wall portion adapted to be forced inwardly from the approximate circle of the shell to thereby contract the shell to temporarlly tapered form for nesting purposes, said wall portion adapted to be forced outwardly to expand and restore said collapsed shell to its operative substantially cylindrical form with said portion completing the circle thereof.

6. A tubular container shell of normal substantially-cylindrical form, 4said shell substantially throughout its length and at oneside portion only, having a relatively-narrow transverselyarcuate longitudinal infolding portion of minimum width at the upper end of the shell, and

e adapted to be forced inwardly, from the circle of 5 the cylindrical shell to contract said shell to temporarily collapsed form and to be forced outwardly tol expand and restore the collapsed shell to cylindrical form, said portion occupying but a minor fraction of thecircle of the expanded cylin- 10 drical shell.

'7. A tubular container shell of substantiallycylindrical normal form, having a permanently creased relatively-narrow longitudinal portion extending to the mouth of the shell and of maxi- 15 mum Width at the bottom end of the shell, and adapted to be forced inwardly from the circle of the expanded cylindrical shell, to thereby contract the shell to collapsed form for packing, and to beforced transversely outwardly of the col- 20 lapsed shell to expand and restore the same to normal operative cylindrical form,`

8. A tubular container shell of substantially stiff resilient lmaterial having in one side portion only, a narrow longitudinal infolding portion in- 25 tegral therewith and extending-from end to end of the shell and of minimum width' at the mouth end of the shell, the mouth end of the expanded shell being stiff and resilient throughout the annulus thereof to reslst'radial distortion and in- 30 folding except at the point therein where said portion terminates, said shell 'adapted to be temporarily contracted under tension to tapered form by movement of said portion inwardly, and to be restored to operative expanded form by 35 movement of said portion outwardly.

9. A tubular container shell of substantially stiff resilient material, having a mouthend and a bottom end; and a closure adapted to be assembled with said shell to close said bottom end; 40

tom end extending into and expanding to tight 504 fit within .said closure.

10. A tubular container shell having a longi-- tudinally-extending infolding portion of maximum width at one end of the shell and of minlmum width at' the other end of the shell, where- 55- by the shell can be contracted for nesting, and

expanded to operative form, in combination with an annularly anged bottom,l closure, the bottom end of said contracted shell adaptedto be expanded to operative form within and tightly fit- 60 ting said closure.

11. A tubular container shell preformed for expansion from collapsed form to operative expanded form; in combination with an annularlyskirted closure provided on the inner surface of 65 its skirt with previously-applied substantiallypermanently-tacky adhesive, an'end of said collapsed shell adapted to be expanded forcibly to operative form within said closure into tight operative holding engagement with the tacky ad- 70 hesive-carrying inner surface of the closure skirt.

12. A tubular container shell provided with preformed bending lines rendering the shell approximately radially contractile for nesting purposes, and expansible to operative expanded 75 form; in combination with an annularly-skirted end closure cap provided on the inner surface of its annular skirt with waterproof adhesive characterized by its substantially-permanent tacky nature, the bottom end of said collapsed shell adapted to be radially expanded to operative form within said closure and forcibly into tight operative holding engagement with the tacky adhesivecarrying inner surface of the closure skirt. l

13,. A tubular container shell of stiff resilient material having a longitudinal infolding portion of maximum width at one end of the shell, whereby the shell can be contracted to collapsed form for nesting, by relative substantially-radial in-v ward movement of said portion, and can be expanded to operative form by outward movement of said portion, and a thin iiexible pliable sheet of water and grease resistant material of substantial tensile strength extending transversely across said end of the shell and covering the opening thereof and around its edges permanently secured to the surrounding margin of said shell, whereby said sheet collapses when the shell is contracted, and stretches and attens out when said shell is expanded to operative form.

14. A tubular container shell of stiff resilient material throughout its length permanently creased to provide a relatively-narrow longitudinally-reducing infolding portion of maximum Width at one end of the shell, whereby said shell can be temporarily contracted to tapered collapsed form for nesting purposes by forcing said portion inwardly to flex the shell under tension to return to its normal circular form, and can be expanded from collapsed form to operative form by relative substantially-radial outward movement of said infolded portion, in combination with an annularly skirted closure in which said collapsed shell end is adapted to be expanded to operative end closing association.

15. A tubular expansible and contractile container shell of substantially stiff resilient material having a relatively narrow'infolding portion 10 extending from end to end of the shell and dened by permanent non-parallel bending lines.

16. A tubular cylindrical container shell of substantially stii resilient non-metallic material having longitudinal non-parallel bending. lines substantially meeting at one end of the shell and spaced their maximum distance apart at the opposite end of said shell and defining a relatively narrow infolding portion of the shell, whereby said shell can be contracted for nesting purposes and expanded to operative form.

17. A substantially-cylindrical tubular container shell of substantially stiff resilient material having cooperating longitudinal bending lines substantially meeting at one end of the shell and relatively widely spaced at the other end of the shell and defining a longitudinal infolding portion of said shell, whereby said shell can be contracted for nesting purposes and expanded to operative cylindrical formi, said portion provided with a bending line intermediate its width and substantially throughout its length.

LEE D. PIERCE. 

